An overview of heuristic solution methods

Abstract

Besides those analysts who are already familiar with a number of heuristic methods, this paper should also be of interest to those analysts and managers who, although not yet aware of specific heuristic approaches, are quite comfortable with the use of mathematical modelling as an aid to decision making. It is concerned with obtaining usable solutions to well-defined mathematical representations of real-world problem situations. Heuristic procedures are defined and reasons for their importance are listed. A wide variety of heuristic methods, including several metaheuristics, are described. In each case, references for further details, including applications, are provided. There is also considerable discussion related to performance evaluation.

Keywords:

• heuristics
• OR education
• methodology

Acknowledgements

The research leading to this paper was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under Grant No. A1485 and by the Carma Chair at the University of Calgary. I wish to thank a number of people who either directly provided inputs that were used to prepare or modify this paper or whose writings have had a significant impact on my thinking related to heuristic methods. These individuals include Sven Axsäter, Peter Bell, Robert G Brown, Ton de Kok, Dominique de Werra, Henrik Edwards, Sam Eilon, Jim Evans, Marshall Fisher, Fred Glover, Jeet Gupta, Ron Howard, Armann Ingolfsson, Tom Morton, Heiner Müller-Merbach, Eliezer Naddor, Ray Patterson, David Robb, Erik Rolland, Haim Shore, David Simchi-Levi, Henk Tijms, Chris Walshaw, George White, Keith Willoughby, Gene Woolsey, Stelius Zanakis, and Nicolas Zufferey. In addition, the constructive comments of two anonymous referees were very much appreciated.